HE father of Thomas Campbell, Archibald Campbell, traced his lineage back to the race of Diarmid, the Campbells of Argyleshire, Scotland, but he was born in County Down, near Dyerlake, Ireland. The life of a soldier appealed to him, and it fell to his lot to serve under General Wolfe at the battle of Quebec. Alexander Campbell (Memoirs of Elder Thomas Campbell, p. 7) refers to the tradition that General Wolfe died in the arms of Archibald Campbell, his grandfather. After that famous battle, he returned home to Ireland and established himself near Newry, County Down. He married and four sons were born. A great religious change took place also in the life of the old soldier. He had been a Roman Catholic, but was converted from that faith by what process we know not. He became a strict member of the Church of England, and died in his eighty-eighth year, a firm adherent of the same. None of his four sons chose to "serve God according to the Act of Parliament" as their father was accustomed to put it. The three of them, who lived to maturity, cast in their lot with the Secession Church. These three were alike also in following the teaching profession in their early years.

      Thomas Campbell was the oldest son of Archibald Campbell, and came to fame in the ministry [23] of the gospel. Rather early in life "he became the subject of deep religious impressions, and acquired a most sincere and earnest love for the Scriptures." From Richardson's Memoirs of Alexander Campbell (pp. 21, 22) we learn that young Thomas preferred, above the formality of ritualism, the society of the rigid and devotional Covenanters and began to worship with them. His own personal salvation gave him deep concern as he grew older. Friends endeavored to guide him with their counsel; he made use of prayer with earnestness and diligence, and he sought for such assurance of forgiveness and acceptance as he felt ought to come as the accompaniments of true faith and effectual calling. One day as he was walking in the fields alone and meditating, "he felt a divine peace suddenly diffuse itself throughout his soul, and the love of God seemed to be shed abroad in his heart as he had never before realized it." Richardson continues (ibid., p. 23), "His doubts, anxieties and fears were at once dissipated, as if by enchantment. . . . From this moment he recognized himself as consecrated to God, and thought only how he might best appropriate his time and his abilities to His service." Together with this which may be called the conversion of Thomas Campbell there came simultaneously the feeling that he had been called to be a minister. In dutiful fashion, the son informed his father of the desire of his heart to become a minister of the gospel in the Seceder Branch of the Church of Scotland. Details are lacking of the interview, but it is known [24] that the father was intensely displeased. Through later conversations, the unalterable intention of the son was revealed, and ultimately the father gave a somewhat grudging consent.

      Before actually beginning his ministerial studies, Thomas Campbell made two excursions into the field of teaching. First, he went to the south of Ireland in the province of Connaught. From there his father summoned him back home, and he began to teach in a school at Sheepbridge, near Newry. He had been born Feb. 1, 1763, and was beginning to feel that he ought to begin his theological studies at this time, for he was, late in his teens. A Mr. John Kinley, who had come to know the young man and esteem his abilities highly, urged him to go to Glasgow, and offered to defray the expenses of his education there. The father was won over to the project, and Thomas proceeded to the University of Glasgow. He took the three years of prescribed study at that time for students of divinity, and also attended medical lectures which were offered then for those who would become ministers, so that they could aid the poorer of their parishioners. His pursuit of the regular theological studies followed in the Anti-Burgher School. This was located at Whitburn, and its teacher was Rev. Archibald Bruce, a man well qualified, of piety and some renown, and esteemed by the students. There were five annual sessions of eight weeks each, and all subjects were taught by a single professor. The enrollment at that period was between twenty and thirty students. The [25] period of study ended, Thomas Campbell submitted to the usual examination and trials for license before the Presbytery of Ireland, and became a probationer with the rights to preach under the supervision of the Synod. In the capacity of probationer, he preached for the churches in the neighborhood of Sheepbridge. He also resumed teaching school. Even before his graduation it would seem that Thomas Campbell married Jane Corneigle, surely in the year of 1787 (dates on this period are uncertain, for family records were lost in a shipwreck). Later he went to Market Hill in County Armagh, and labored as both teacher and probationer. About the year 1798, he accepted a call from a newly established church at Ahorey, some four miles from the city of Armagh. He located himself and the, growing family on a farm and began a ministry that was happy and fruitful. He later established an academy and conducted it in his own home at Rich Hill, for farming had not paid.

      Thomas Campbell went beyond the usual services that a minister rendered to his people, and gave himself "in preaching, teaching and in visiting his charge, inculcating personal and family religion" so that his son estimates that his father had no equal nor indeed a superior (Memoirs of Elder Thomas Campbell, p. 9). Among other things, he addressed himself to the reunion of the two sects of Burghers. The oath was inconsequential in Ireland, and he felt that the two bodies ought to be one in that country. The people most concerned [26] about it, the Seceders of Ireland, were ready for the step, and sent Thomas Campbell to the Synod to present their case. Notwithstanding his earnestness and force, the Synod at Glasgow decided to leave matters as they had been in Ireland. However, the questions that had been agitated later came to the fore, even in Scotland, and what Thomas Campbell had helped to prepare for and urged in 1806, was consummated on Sept. 5, 1820--the union of the two Synods, Burgher and Anti-Burgher. This took place in the very church house and city of Edinburgh, where the division had occurred seventy-five years before (Memoirs of Alexander Campbell, pp. 57, 58).

      As he pursued his ministerial work, Thomas Campbell developed a stomach trouble that gave him much discomfort and anxiety. He sought the aid of physicians, but they were unable to afford him relief. As a last resort it was suggested that he try a sea voyage and a complete rest from pastoral cares. Mr. Campbell accepted the prescription, and turned his eyes longingly to America in the New World. The fact that his eldest son, Alexander, had already declared his intention of making America his home, when he should attain his majority, which would indicate that there had been family discussions as, to the United States and its political and religious ideals. Some of the friends and parishioners of the father had left the region and gone to try their fortunes in the New World. They had made Washington County, Pennsylvania, their home. Quite naturally, therefore, the [27] ailing minister chose as his journey's end the section of country where friends were located. Moreover, he seems to have set forth with the determination to settle permanently in America if he found things to his liking. The welfare of the family he was leaving behind for a time, Mr. Campbell committed to God and his eldest son. Armed with a certificate, of church membership and of ministerial standing, with his Bible and possibly a few other books, he set sail from Londonderry. After an expeditious voyage of thirty-five days, the vessel brought the Scotch-Irish 'Seceder minister to the port of Philadelphia.

      Providentially, he found the Synod of North America in session there, and on the second day after his arrival, Thomas Campbell presented himself and his credential:

      "We, the remainent members of the Presbytery at Market Hall, March 24th, A. D. 1807, do hereby certify that the bearer, Thomas Campbell, has been for about nine years minister of the gospel in the seceding congregation of Ahorey, and co-presbyter with us, during which time he has maintained an irreproachable moral character; and, in the discharge of the duties of his sacred functions has conducted himself as a faithful minister of Christ; and is now released from his pastoral charge over said congregation at his own request, upon good and sufficient reasons for his resignation of said charge, particularly his intention of going to America.

      "Given under our hands at our presbyterial meeting, the day and year above written. [28]

      "The above, by order of Presbytery, is subscribed by             DAVID ARROTT, Moderator." (Memoirs of Elder Thomas Campbell, p. 20.)

      Some resolutions of the Synod on the morning of May 14, 1807, are of concern to us:

      "1. That a fund be established for defraying the expenses of distant members traveling to Synod.

      "2. A fund be established for regularly and promptly paying the passage of ministers from Scotland.

      "3. That ministers take into consideration of organizing themselves for the relief of the aged and sick members, and for the widows of members."

      There was also a memorial from Chartiers Presbytery which indicated that there was some trouble in the congregation at Buffalo over elders and a minister whose services were declined. In the minutes of the session held "Sat. 16. May," at half-past two in the afternoon, we read,

"Mr. Thomas Campbell, minister from Associate Presbytery of Market Hill, Ireland, presented a certificate subscribed by Mr. David Arrott as Mod'r of said Presb'y. He was received into Christian and ministerial communion; and his name being added to the roll, was admitted to a seat in the Synod."

      The scheme of appointments was presented to Synod on Monday, May 18. . . .

"Mr. Thos. Campbell in the Presb'y of Chartiers and likewise, Mr. John Dickie, till next meeting. This appointment, however, subject to the order following: That the Presbytery of Chartiers, according to the information that they shall receive from the brethren of [29] the Presb'y of the Carolinas, pointing the propriety of the measure, shall send either Mr. Campbell or Mr. Dickie to supply there in the fall."

      In the minutes of the session of Synod at 3 p. m. on May 20, 1807, there is found:

"After some conversation, respecting the assistance to be allowed Messrs. Campbell and Dickie for equipping them for taking journey in order to fulfill their appointments, it was agreed to allow each of them fifty dollars." ("Minutes of Associate Synod of North America.") [30]

[TCSCUA 23-30]